Choppy Layered Hairstyles

Choppy layered hairstyles are a great way to update and modernize your look. Their casual effect is extremely easy to achieve, making these cuts very popular.

Choppy Style Basics

Choppy styles take basic layered styles a step further by adding layers of varying lengths throughout the style, especially around the face. The choppy layers are often cut with a razor, although a shears can produce a similar effect.

Choppy Layered Hairstyles Can Be Various Lengths

Short

Short choppy styles are typically very easy to care for. With the use of some styling products, short choppy styles can be worn smooth, messy or spiky. Some popular short choppy layered styles include the pixie, the shag, and the short layered bob. Some celebrities who have sported short choppy styles include Paris Hilton, Lisa Rinna, and Halle Berry.

Medium

Medium-length choppy layered hairstyles have a great amount of versatility and because of their length, they can be worn down or pulled up with a few pieces left down for a messy, casual effect. Shoulder-length layered bobs are an example of a medium length choppy style. Some famous medium-length choppy cuts include those worn by Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Conrad, and Kimberly Caldwell.

Long

Long styles with choppy bangs or pieces that frame the face give a dramatic, tousled look. They also have a great degree of versatility and can be worn up, down, flat-ironed smooth or scrunched to emphasize the layers. Jennifer Aniston had one of the first long choppy layered cuts, and since that time many other celebrities have followed suit, including Meg Ryan, Lea Michele of Glee fame, and Jessica Simpson.

Suitable Hair Types

Choppy layers work well with thin, fine hair, which already has the tendency to look wispy and choppy. But these cuts also work great for thick hair, since a lot of the bulk is removed, making thick hair lighter and easier to handle. A skilled hairdresser will be able to give you the right type of layers to give your hair optimum volume while keeping it easy for you to maintain.

Color Emphasizes Choppy Cuts

There are certain color techniques that will play up a choppy cut, including:

Chunky highlights or lowlights

Tipping the ends in a contrasting color, such as black on blonde or red on light brown

Two toned hair color, in which the top half of the hair is colored a lighter shade and the bottom half a darker one, either in the same color family or in a contrasting one

Streaks around the face to emphasize piecy, chunky layers

Choppy Cuts Not Just For Women

Women are not the only ones sporting choppy layered cuts-men have also discovered the look. Men who favor medium to longer hair are having choppy layers cut into their hair to give it some edge, make it easier to style, and to emphasize their hair type and facial features. These cuts work well on men with thin, straight hair, and often feature long bangs swept to the side over one eye. Some male celebrities who are wearing choppy layers include Tom Brady, Colin Farrell and Nick Carter.

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